A rally car ploughed into the crowd during a race in southern France Saturday, killing at least two people and badly injuring about 15, including children, firefighters said.

The orange-colored car competing in the 14th annual Maures regional rally veered off the road at Plan-de-la-Tour in the Var region near the Mediterranean coast, killing a 20-year-old spectator and a race marshal, 50.

Tony Parker scored 23 points and Tim Duncan added 19 as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 96-86 on Saturday for their 17th NBA victory in a row.

The Spurs, who trailed by as much as 24 points in the first quarter, rallied to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference second-round series. They can complete a sweep with a triumph in game four on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Didier Drogba was the hero as Chelsea won a historic first Champions League crown here on Saturday to shatter Bayern Munich's dreams of winning the title at their home stadium.

Drogba stepped up to rifle home the decisive penalty as Chelsea clinched a 4-3 shoot-out victory after 120 minutes of nerve-shredding drama in front of a partisan crowd at Bayern's Allianz Arena.

Sailor Ben Ainslie was the first torchbearer as the Olympic flame began its 70-day journey around Britain and Ireland on Saturday ahead of the 2012 London Games.

The flame arrived in Britain from Greece on Friday and was flown to Land's End, the southwesterly tip of England, on Saturday by a Royal Navy helicopter before it was used to light the torch for the start of the 8,000 mile (12,875-kilometre) relay.

Kobe Bryant shot a perfect 18-of-18 from the free-throw line and had a game-high 36 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat Oklahoma City 99-96 to hand the Thunder their first loss of the 2012 playoffs.

Pau Gasol finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists and Ramon Sessions came off the bench to score 12 points for the Lakers, who cut the Thunder's series lead to 2-1.

Bayern Munich and Chelsea were gearing for their Champions League final showdown here Saturday as the Bavarian capital buzzed with anticipation ahead of the biggest game in club football.

A worldwide television audience estimated in the hundreds of millions is expected to tune in for Saturday's clash between the German and English Premier League giants, which kicks off at 8:45 pm (1845 GMT).

Tony Parker celebrated his 30th birthday by scoring 22 points to lead San Antonio over the Los Angeles Clippers 105-88, stretching the Spurs' win streak to 16 games.

San Antonio on Thursday took a 2-0 lead over the Clippers in the best-of-seven Western Conference second-round series, which continues with games three and four on Saturday and Sunday in Los Angeles.

Manchester United revealed the financial impact on Thursday of its early exit from the Champions League, with earnings dropping and cash reserves being halved in the first three months of the year.

United was deposed as Premier League champions by Manchester City on Sunday and eliminated from the lucrative Champions League at the group stage in December.

LeBron James grabbed a seat on Miami's bench, lowered his head and stared down at the floor.

Way down.

Bayern Munich heads into the Champions League final against Chelsea at its own stadium as a strong favorite to win a fifth European Cup, a title that could make up for its failures in domestic competitions.

Chelsea won the FA Cup but had a disappointing Premier League season. It is missing four important players through suspension and is guided by a temporary manager.